Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) calls a signal in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) | AP

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston volunteered a DNA sample last week to the Tallahassee Police Department as part of the sexual assault investigation, his attorney said Thursday, adding that he believes Winston will be exonerated and any DNA does not prove guilt.

Winston’s lawyer Tim Jansen said at a press conference Thursday morning that the sex between his client and the accuser “absolutely” was consensual, but then retreated when pressed by reporters who asked him to confirm what he just said.

“I’m not saying that,” Jansen said. “I’m saying the eyewitnesses that were there will verify that any material that was found, or any evidence that was found, is consistent with him (doing) nothing wrong.”

ESPN first reported Wednesday night that Winston’s DNA matched a sample taken from the underwear of the accuser.

Jansen said he has not seen the results of the DNA tests and found out watching television.

“All I know is it’s very suspicious that the only news reporting agency that (State Attorney) Willie Meggs met privately with yesterday in his office was the one that reported that last night on television,” Jansen said. “And that would be ESPN.”

Meggs denied that he — or anyone in his office — released the DNA information to the media. He called the release of the information “problematic.” He said he did not know who the source of information was for ESPN.